Watching Kai disappear, a flash of envy crossed Orochimaru's eyes. He turned slightly to look at Sasuke slung over his shoulder and murmured: "Three years... soon I'll possess the Sharingan..."
Even though Kai hadn't made any explicit threats, Orochimaru didn't dare violate any of Kai's conditions. This was a fear rooted in the deepest recesses of Orochimaro's heart.
At this moment, Kai had already appeared in the training ground behind the Mitarashi family compound.
Kai looked at Jūgo with interest, waved his hand to have Kimimaro release his restraints on Jūgo, then raised his right hand and placed it on Jūgo's head.
Tremendous chakra mixed with abundant life force surged wildly into Jūgo's body.
The chakra flowed in through the Gate of Opening and Gate of Healing located in Jūgo's head, then traveled through the Gate of Life, Gate of Pain, Gate of Limit, Gate of View, and Gate of Wonder, finally all pouring into the Gate of Death located at his heart! There wasn't the slightest obstruction—as if the Eight Gates didn't exist within Jūgo's body at all.
"Completely unobstructed, gates without barriers—so that's how it is." A flash of enlightenment appeared in Kai's eyes.
The Eight Gates within the human body could be said to be eight extremely solid barriers that seal away the body's life force. Opening each gate grants the user extraordinary power.
First, the Gate of Opening and Gate of Healing located in the brain—when opened, they can break through the pituitary gland's inhibition and forcibly increase physical strength. As the subsequent gates are opened, the human body becomes faster and stronger.
But at the same time, the Eight Gates also seal off the bridge of communication between the human body and the outside world.
This is why opening the eighth gate, the Gate of Death, results in death—all the life force in the body pours out through the Gate of Death into the outside world. It would be strange if one didn't die.
Jūgo's body was completely different from ordinary people. The Eight Gates seemed like mere decorations, and his entire being appeared to exist in unity with heaven and earth. Whenever external natural energy became too dense, he would be invaded by natural energy and enter Sage Transformation.
Orochimaru's willingness to make this deal so readily was probably because he had discovered these things.
However, just this preliminary understanding of Jūgo's constitution gave Kai great inspiration and clarified the direction his current training should take.
At this moment, Haku's voice suddenly came over:
"Master, Lady Tsunade wants you to come to the Hokage's office immediately."
Both Haku and Kimimaro held great respect for Tsunade—not because she was the Fifth Hokage, but simply because Tsunade was Kai's woman.
"Mm... alright, I'll go right over."
Kai responded while removing his hand from Jūgo's head, then turned and walked toward the door.
As for the inspiration gained from Jūgo, Kai wasn't in a hurry. After all, this wasn't something that could be completed in a day or two.
Hokage's Office
The room was crowded with many people, noisy like a marketplace.
Tsunade looked helplessly at Naruto in front of her and said: "Naruto, can you keep it down? My head's about to explode from listening."
"But the old man let Sasuke go, and he even let Sasuke follow that snake-like ninja!" Naruto said excitedly.
"I know, I know... Naruto, you've said this eight hundred times already." Tsunade waved her hand impatiently and continued: "Besides, I've already asked Kai to come report on the mission. Just shut up for now."
Then Tsunade looked at the group of Genin nearby and said: "And... Sakura, can you stop crying? Don't forget you're a ninja. Shikamaru, Neji, you guys go back first. Due to Orochimaru's appearance, the mission exceeded its rank, so it won't be recorded in the files."
"Yes, Lady Hokage."
Shikamaru and the others answered in unison, breathing a sigh of relief. If their first mission after becoming Chūnin ended in failure, it would greatly affect their future promotions to Special Jōnin and full Jōnin.
Several people left the Hokage's office one after another, and at this time, Kai also walked in.
Before Tsunade could speak, Naruto suddenly ran angrily to Kai's front, looked up at him and shouted: "Old man, how could you let Sasuke go? He's our comrade!"
Hearing Naruto's shout, Kai showed no anger. Looking at Naruto, he said calmly: "I already said before—Uchiha Sasuke is your comrade, not mine."
"But... but..." Naruto opened his mouth, wanting to say something.
But Kai interrupted: "Naruto, I want you to give up your dream of becoming Hokage!"
"Why should I!" Without thinking, Naruto retorted emotionally: "No matter how difficult it is, I, Uzumaki Naruto, will definitely become Hokage! My word is my bond—that's my ninja way!"
Kai smiled with satisfaction. Seeing Naruto's confusion, he said: "Just as no one can stop your dream of becoming Hokage, seeking revenge against Itachi is also Sasuke's dream. No one can stop it. Even if I brought Sasuke back this time, he would still choose to defect again."
"But... but Sasuke... he's my comrade!"
As Naruto spoke, his shoulders began to shake, and tears unconsciously flowed down.
Seeing the crying Naruto, Kai's heart couldn't help but soften. He reached out to ruffle Naruto's blonde hair and said: "Naruto, are you going to give up just like that? Don't forget—you promised Sakura you'd bring Sasuke back! Speaking your mind and keeping your word—isn't that your ninja way?"
Hearing Kai's words, Naruto looked up at him. In his confused eyes, a trace of determination was gradually growing.
Then Naruto forcefully wiped away his tears, looked at Sakura who was still crying nearby, and declared loudly: "Sakura, I promise you—I'll definitely bring Sasuke back!"
"My word is my bond—that's my ninja way!"
As he spoke, Naruto showed Sakura a brilliant smile, the confusion in his eyes completely swept away!
As if infected by Naruto's spirit, Sakura gradually stopped crying. Looking at Naruto, she nodded firmly and said: "Yes! I believe in you, Naruto!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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